Jose Mourinho says Bastian Schweinsteiger has only returned to Manchester United training to make up the numbers

But any thoughts of making a quick return to match action for the club have been given short shift by manager Mourinho who claimed Schweinsteiger was only being used to help with training drills.

The United boss said: “Schweinsteiger is back, we made that decision last Thursday, we informed him on the Friday.

Getty Images

Wayne Rooney jokes around with Bastian Schweinsteiger in training

“It is a decision based on the fact we are in a period of the season where it is difficult to train everyone together.

“The tactical work I like to do, I need to have 23, 24 players. But with the specialised training and injuries we have I sometimes have 13 or 14 players.

“We go to the academy to get players to get more players, this is happening now.

“Looking at Bastian and the way he was working professionally every day with the fitness coach, it is a human and professional decision to bring him back to the team."

PA:Press Association

Bastian Schweinsteiger has not featured for Manchester United since being banished from training with the first team squad

Reuters

Jose Mourinho has left Bastian Schweinsteiger in no doubt he is still out in the cold at Old Trafford

United have been beset by a series of injuries in defence over the past week which has seen Mourinho have to draft Phil Jones back into contention for tomorrow's Europa League clash with Fenerbahce even though he is short of fitness.

But there are no such worries in midfield where there are already several players fighting it out for starting roles, and Mourinho doesn't see Schweinsteiger being one of those any time soon.

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He added: “He will be much better prepared in case his future decision is to leave the club, he will be much better prepared.

“If he stays with us he becomes one more option. In this moment we don’t have the problems in midfield we have in defence, but one day we might.”